Israelis protesting against contentious judicial reforms are obstructing roads and railways in a “day of disruption”.
In Tel Aviv, police used stun grenades and water cannons, and were recorded kneeling on the neck of a demonstrator as he was detained.
The protesters believe that the sweeping changes currently being forced through parliament will undermine the independence of the judiciary and threaten democracy.
Ministers assert that they will restore the balance between the three branches of government.
The demonstrators have been referred to as “anarchists.”
Live footage from Tel Aviv showed several scuffles as police dragged away demonstrators. Officers mounted on horses attempted to prevent individuals from breaching barricades.
Speaking on Israeli Channel 13 TV, one protester called Zeev commented: “This is terrible violence, no one touched the officers. We were participating in a civil protest. We were not prepared for this. And we are here to support democracy.”
The new nationalist-religious alliance in Israel, led by Mr. Netanyahu, has prioritised justice system reforms.
He supported the measures being used, saying the force “must use all the means at its disposal to maintain public order and the daily routine of Israeli citizens”.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, tweeted, “The freedom to protest is not the right to anarchy.”
In Jerusalem’s parliament, opposition members boycotted a vote by the constitution, justice, and law committee. Which granted preliminary approval to more proposals in the judicial reforms plan.
The new nationalist-religious alliance in Israel, led by Mr. Netanyahu, prioritises justice system reforms.
They intend to grant the elected government decisive control over the selection of judges and restrict the Supreme Court’s ability to rule against the executive or invalidate legislation.
Critics assert that this threatens the political system of checks and balances, given that Israel lacks a constitution and has only one parliamentary chamber under the authority of the ruling coalition.
In recent weeks, tens of thousands of individuals have participated in weekly protests against the new legislation.
At times on Thursday, demonstrators brought traffic to a halt on the busy main route between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
The blue and white Israeli flag was widely waved. Shouts of “democracy” went up and “Israel is not a dictatorship, Israel is not Hungary”. Whose right-wing nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, has been accused of undermining democratic institutions, including the judiciary.
According to polls, the government’s proposal is unpopular, and the majority of Israelis would prefer a compromise.
President Isaac Herzog, who primarily functions as a figurehead, has pushed for dialogue between the government and the opposition, warning that the nation is on the verge of “constitutional and social collapse.”
Many of Israel’s foreign allies have expressed concern about the new legislation.
Tom Nides, the US ambassador to Israel, said this week, “Slow down a little bit, maybe bring people together, and try to establish some consensus.”
Veterans of an elite Israeli military intelligence unit, Unit 8200, have joined a growing number of army reservists who are threatening to refuse reserve duty.
One reserve officer told, “It’s unusual.” “We tend to remain impartial in these matters but it’s not a routine political debate. It’s a dramatic transition. We are concerned that our fundamental democratic principles will be utterly undermined.”
High-tech workers, attorneys, and financiers have also expressed concern about the impact, which includes the economy.
Mr. Netanyahu – who is on trial for corruption, which he denies – claims the changes will boost business.
